Spring is coming! Pitchers and Catchers report to Dunedin for the Jays

What’s the best part of February? Valentine’s Day? Nah. It’s not Family Day or even the recent historic Raptors run. No it’s the wonderful feeling that spring is upon us and pitchers and catchers officially report to Dunedin.

So, Let’s Talk Baseball!

This year the Blue Jays are heading to Dunedin to the newly renovated TD Ballpark, with a revamped roster.

Many names have changed this season, from Mookie Betts to the Dodgers and Gerrit Cole to the Yankees. The Blue Jays made a total of 16 moves to try and improve their 2019 67-95 record. From the pen, to the dugout, there will be a competition at just about every position this season.

Let’s start on the mound!

Rotation

It is safe to say that the first four guys on the list are a lock coming into spring, but the leashes will be short for all. Ryu, the biggest offseason signing, is the new face of the rotation and has a gaurenteed spot. This offseason Ryu inked a 4yr/$80M contract and is giving Jays’ fans something to look forward to. Last season he finished 2nd in NL Cy Young voting and led the NL with a 2.32 ERA. He will be the ace for the next four seasons barring the rise of Nate Pearson.

Chase Anderson came in from the Brewers following a 8-4 record while sporting a 4.21 ERA across 139 innings. Anderson came in from a trade for Chad Spanberger and is a fierce competitor with a dominating cutter. Anderson helps bring in a solid mix of pitches and can help batters struggle making the switch from the lefty Ryu.

Matt Shoemaker going into the season last year had everyone paying attention. Shoemaker would have been the proverbial ace of the rotation. Unfortunately his season was cut short due a torn ACL in just his sixth start. If he starts off and stays healthy, Shoemaker is a pitcher with the capabilities to win 12 or more games.

Tanner Roark is another one of those pitchers who could fool batters in just five innings of work. Roark came in on a 2-yr/$24M contract this past offseason. Roark is a stop gap guy at best for the Blue Jays as they await the right time to call up Nate Pearson. Last season, Roark pitched in 31 games to a 10-10 record between the Athletics and the Reds. If the progress of Pearson continues to grow rapidly, you could see Roark get moved at the deadline.

Last but not least Ryan Borucki. Borucki is the only other lefty starter the Jays have on their roster, and all but seems to have a spot as most teams have two lefties in a rotation. Ryan showed promise in his first season pitching to a 3.87ERA in 97.2 innings. But started just two games in 2019 as he to went down with and injury. Borucki can move his way up the rotation if he can just stay healthy.

OTHER CANDIDATES

As always, the bullpen will be a revolving door. There are just a few guys on this list locked to be in the pen (Giles, Font, Bass, Yamaguchi). Aside from those four gentlemen, competition for spots in the pen will be alive and well. Pannone, Reid-Foley and Gaviglio have all been apart of the Blue Jays, but never fully unpacked their bags between trips down the QEW. Dolis last pitched in 2013 for the Cubs, but could be just good enough to get past the three batter minimum.

The Jays front office went out and signed many guys who have the capabilities to come out of the pen, so don’t get too accustomed to seeing the same guys day in and out.

On February 17th, the full roster reports to Dunedin so stay tuned for the dugout report.